When Canada's best dancers face off against the best in the world in December, six young dancers from Douglas Ballet Academy will be among them.
Erin Carpentier and Jaydene Searle are off to the International Dance Organization's world tap championships, Dec. 1 to 8 in Germany. Caroline Kiddie, Emily Wismer, Jenny Lian and Morgan Bringeland-Powell are heading to Poland for the IDO's ballet, jazz and modern worlds Dec. 7 to 15.
They're part of Team Canada, selected after a rigorous audition process that brought together the best dancers from across the country. A press release notes that Canadian dancers are known to be some of the best in the world, with several world titles to the country's credit.
This year's team is headed by choreographer's Danielle Gardner, of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, and Joshua Beamish of Move: The Company.
"They have high hopes of making it to the podium and making Canada proud," the release says.
But getting the dancers to Europe isn't easy.
"Dance is not recognized in Canada as a sporting event, even though many of these dancers train up to seven days per week, they are as flexible as any gymnast, as graceful as figure skaters and as dedicated as any Olympic athlete," the release notes.
That means the dancers must cover their own costs, which amount to $4,000 or more per dancer. They've been fundraising since the summer to raise the money, with a variety of events that have included a fashion show, pub night, bake sale and performance.
This weekend is a major Team Canada fundraiser: the Gala for Gold at Massey Theatre in New Westminster.
The event will include dance performances, as well as silent and live auctions.
It's on Friday, Nov. 29, and it's set to start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $21.95. Buy through www.masseytheatre.com or call 604-521-5050.
For more on the dancers' journey to the ballet, jazz and modern worlds, check out their website at www.fourdancersonedream.com. You can also sponsor individual dancers there. You can also find out more at www.facebook.com/TeamCanadaWestDance.
